Glutamatergic neuronal activity regulates angiogenesis and blood-retinal barrier maturation via Norrin/β-catenin signaling.

ABSTRACT: Interactions among neuronal, glial, and vascular components are crucial for retinal angiogenesis and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) maturation. Although synaptic dysfunction precedes vascular abnormalities in many retinal pathologies, how neuronal activity, specifically glutamatergic activity, regulates retinal angiogenesis and BRB maturation remains unclear. Using in vivo genetic studies in mice, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and functional validation, we show that deep plexus angiogenesis and paracellular BRB maturation are delayed in Vglut1^-/- retinas where neurons fail to release glutamate. By contrast, deep plexus angiogenesis and paracellular BRB maturation are accelerated in Gnat1^-/- retinas, where constitutively depolarized rods release excessive glutam

SUBMITTER: Biswas S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11189759 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature